Ductmate Announces the Passing of William “Bill” Bradford Jr

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

Sheet Metal Industry Icon, Ductmate’s First Foreman Passes Away at 85

Ductmate Industries, leadership and employees are saddened to report that William “Bill” Bradford Jr., 85, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.

Bill was a colleague and mentor to many in the sheet metal industry, as well as the first SNIPS Industry Icon. With over 55 years of experience, he was Ductmate Industries’ first shop foreman hired after the company’s inception in 1978. Bill assisted Peter J. Arnoldt, one of the founders of Ductmate, in building the original Ductmate 35 production line and spent countless hours perfecting the product that revolutionized the HVAC industry.

Once production began, Bill managed and directed Ductmate’s first group of employees to staff the factory. He trained hundreds of sheet metal workers and customers to properly install the Ductmate 25/35 Systems and quickly advanced within the organization. Bill held the following positions throughout his time at Ductmate: Foreman, Factory Superintendent, Field Service Manager and National Service Manager.

From his early days of running the Ductmate facility to traveling and working with contractors, end users and distributors, Bill’s impact on the sheet metal and HVAC industry cannot be overstated.

Bill was born on Aug. 13, 1937, in Pittsburgh to the late William and Frances (Matuszewski) Bradford Sr. and graduated from Oliver High School in 1955. Following graduation, he served for four years in the U.S. Airforce. Upon honorable discharge, he wished to continue his service by joining the Air Force Reserve, followed by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, serving twenty more years.

Bill joined Ductmate in 1978 for his distinguished 32-year career. Although he officially retired in 2009, Bill remained a staple at training classes and industry events through 2019, sharing his knowledge with future generations of employees, sheet metal workers and customers for 10 years post-retirement.

Bill is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of over 61 years, Joanne (Kaiser) Bradford, Joanne’s sister Jeanne J. Zeigler; his children Renee J. (Shawn) Pennington, William C. (Lori) Bradford; his grandchildren Ryan B. Pennington, Evan L. (Brenna) Pennington, Aila M. (Joshua) Freed, Hannah J. Bradford and William “Tanner” Bradford; his great-grandchildren Logan R. Pennington and baby-to-be Freed; his siblings Richard (Jane) Bradford, Terry (Christine) Bradford and Donna L. (Robert) Cunningham, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bill considered the employees of Ductmate his second family. Throughout his career, he touched the hearts of many Ductmate employees and industry professionals. As a tribute, The William Bradford Training Center at DMI’s corporate headquarters in Charleroi was dedicated to him over a decade ago. Bill Bradford Jr. created a legacy within the industry and with Ductmate that ensures that he will be missed but never forgotten.

Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council Releases Playbook for Competitiveness

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

DMI Companies, Inc.’s President and CEO Ray Yeager has worked closely with the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council and other manufacturers for the past 18 months to develop a complete Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook that is now available to the public.

DMI is a World Class Manufacturing enterprise because of its employees and strategic plan for success. All Pennsylvania manufacturers can reach this level of success if they utilize the Playbook blueprint.

The Playbook recommends three game changers for improving Pennsylvania manufacturing’s competitive position:
• Recapture Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive advantage by aggressively pursuing manufacturing growth sectors to drive prosperity.
• Invest in the factory of the future to boost the performance of small and medium-sized companies, improve the quality of manufacturing jobs, and provide better career options for more of Pennsylvania’s citizens.
• Unleash the power of advanced manufacturing to drive regional prosperity through policies and services that are more responsive to the needs of manufacturers.

The manufacturing sector is fundamental to Pennsylvania’s economic success, can compete more effectively, and offers a growing number of well-paying jobs, but the sector needs the commonwealth’s help. That’s the findings from a new report released by the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council, a nonpartisan partnership of manufacturers and public support organizations. Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook identifies three game changers for Pennsylvanian manufacturing and offers ten actionable strategies to help make Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy more robust and resilient.

“It’s vital that we do more for manufacturing because it represents one of Pennsylvania’s largest sectors, pays better than most others, and offers good benefits,” COO of the Berks County Workforce Development Board and Council Co-Chair Dan Fogarty said. “The Playbook is a great first step toward coming together around how we can be there for the sector and for communities across the Commonwealth that both support and benefit from our great industrial employers,” he added.

Manufacturing contributes $113 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP and employs an estimated 563,000 Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook includes recommendations developed by a group of 25 manufacturing and public leaders with the help of recommendations and insights offered by more than 500 manufacturers from across the Commonwealth.

The Playbook builds on Pennsylvania’s historic strengths in manufacturing and captures a vision for Pennsylvania’s future as a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

DMI urges Pennsylvania manufacturers to take the time to read the Playbook and share it with their colleagues, friends, and business associates.

CLICK HERE to download the full Playbook from the Manufacturing Advisory Council’s website.